2025 Stock-Risers: Linebackers on the Move

We're almost finished highlighting the class of 2025 before we move to our class of 2026 rankings update Monday, but we haven't talked about the linebacker group yet. There are plenty of impressive players at the position and several saw their stock rise in our most recent rankings update.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Linebacker Stock Risers</h2>    It often takes a little bit of time for bigger schools to find guys in the Fayetteville area, but Frederick is finally getting some of the recognition -- and offers -- he deserves. We've had Frederick in our top 50 for a while, but were able to bump him even further to his current place in the top 20. He's a thumping, downhill linebacker who can rush the passer and has flashed coverage skills, giving him the total package.     Henderson plays multiple positions of the defense and is a manace coming off the edge, but we like him best at an off-ball linebacker position where his ability to read and react is best. He could grow into a college edge rusher, but his athletic profile fits best at linebacker, for now, especially given he'll have a steep uptick in competition level when he gets to the FBS level. That being said, his first step is awesome and he's a sure tackler.     While he plays the linebacker position, Farmer's skillset is more like that of a bigger box safety in that he's best in man coverage or as a quarterback spy. Much like a safety, his break towards the ball is impressive and a lot of his tackles are when he decides to shoot a gap or move downhill out of coverage towards the quarterback. A big hitter, Farmer has the versatility to play all three linebacker positions and I'm excited to see where Indiana lines him up.     I did a deep dive on Lowe just a few weeks ago and that's partly what prompted us to move him up the rankings. He's a bit undersized, but he's always around the ball and doesn't miss many tackles. Lowe's coverage skills are really solid and allow him to be matched up one-on-one with running backs, tight ends or even slot receivers. We have an FCS grade on him which will only get stronger if he can put on another 10-20 pounds.     Burden is as physical a linebacker as you'll find, not only when it comes to wrapping up ball carriers, but also when he has to take on blockers. He has no problem making the unselfish play by taking on blockers or making the unspectacular assignment plays. When he does get a chance to hit people though, he brings the boom. With a bit more experience in coverage, he'll be a complete linebacker.     Doyle fits the mold of a modern "big nickel" because he has the size to go toe-to-toe with tight ends and the speed and quickness to mirror slot receivers. As such, his strength is in coverage, but that doesn't mean I want him to play as a full-time defensive back. Instead, I think he's best suited as an outside linebacker in a 3-3-5 or base 4-3 defense, one who can use his coverage skills to matchup against 11 personnel like most college teams like to run.

We're almost finished highlighting the class of 2025 before we move to our class of 2026 rankings update Monday, but we haven't talked about the linebacker group yet. There are plenty of impressive players at the position and several saw their stock rise in our most recent rankings update.